Model trains began as a hobby for Harry Turner and became a way of life.

Mr. Turner, of Cochranton, Crawford County, died Tuesday at UPMC Shadyside after weeks of hospitalization following a stroke. He was 63.

For two decades, he traveled around the continent with his massive model train display, which made the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989 as the largest Lionel mobile train display in the world.

The display, which featured 400 feet of track, interactive displays and digital sound recordings, filled the trailer of the 18-wheeler that drove to all 50 states and Canada.

His wife, Diane, traveled with him when the destinations were appealing. After dating for 10 years, the two got married on Feb. 14, 1993, on the 18th hole of a golf course in Fort Myers, Fla.

"We did it on Valentine's Day," she laughed, "so he wouldn't forget the date."

Mr. Turner was born in Farnsworth, England, but immigrated to the United States at age 2, traveling aboard the Queen Mary.

He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and worked in various jobs, including as a promoter for bands such as Foreigner and the Bee Gees.

Even after he entered semi-retirement, the work in promotions came in handy to book dates with the model train display.

He collected trains since he received his first one at age 4, said his wife, and got the idea to build a mobile display after seeing the miniature railroad at the Buhl Planetarium.

"He was so impressed by the Buhl Planetarium train," said his wife. "That was where he got his inspiration to build trains and take them to people who couldn't come to see it."

It took him about nine months to build his mobile display, including hand-painting hundreds of figurines of ice skaters, children on swings and even John F. Kennedy. A figurine that he made of his yellow labrador, Casey, was so admired that he began selling copies to other collectors.

With friends, he wired the display so that children could press a button and watch miniature skiers move downhill, or miniature men chop logs. He also included a fiber-optic display of the galaxy, with all the major stars in their proper places.

Over the years, he and his train display appeared on CNN, Nickelodeon, PBS and even Russian television.

The train set still sits in the trailer bed of the 18-wheeler. "We were going to sell it for Harry's care," said his wife. "I'd love to be able to find someone who would take it on as a business and continue the legacy."

In addition to his wife, Mr. Turner is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Franklin and Sharon Turner, both of Springdale; one son, Harry W. Turner, of the North Side; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Mass will be celebrated today at 11 a.m. in St. Agatha Church in Meadville.